AU2019455916B2

AU2019455916B2 - Food processor

Info

Publication number: AU2019455916B2
Application number: AU2019455916A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Jong Boo Kim
Original assignee: Nuc Electronics Co Ltd
Current assignee: Nuc Electronics Co Ltd
Priority date: 2019-07-05
Filing date: 2019-11-29
Publication date: 2023-09-28
Anticipated expiration: 2039-11-29
Also published as: JP2022539806A; KR102636748B1; EP3995054A1; EP3995054A4; WO2021006435A1; CN114144097B; US20220240722A1; KR102287287B1; AU2019455916A1; CN114144097A; KR20210004671A; JP7357755B2; KR20210098410A

Abstract

A cooking device according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a container having a top opening through which food can be put into the container, and having a receiving space in which the food put into the container through the opening is received; a lid which is detachably coupled to the container so as to open and close the opening, and has a first vent channel communicating with the receiving space in a state where the lid is coupled to the container; an enclosure which is provided to at least partially enclose the container and the lid, and has a second vent channel communicating with the first vent channel; a vacuum pump connected to the second vent channel; and a foreign matter trapping unit which is provided between the first and second vent channels to prevent foreign matter, introduced into the first vent channel in the process of venting gas in the receiving space by the vacuum pump, from being introduced into the second vent channel.

Description

FOOD PROCESSOR

[Technical Field]

[1] The disclosure relates to a food processor, and more particularly to a food processor in which foreign materials inhaled in a vacuum intake process are filtered out.

[Background Art]

[2] There are various food processors for grinding, mixing, juicing, etc. food.

[3] In the food processor, food to be processed is generally put into a container and then subjected to a process using a processing member (a blade, a screw, etc.).

[4] To prevent food from oxidizing while being processed, there have recently emerged food processors that process food after the inside of the container undergoes vacuum exhaust to have a negative pressure environment.

[5] However, when foreign materials are introduced into an exhaust channel during a vacuum exhaust process, the foreign materials reach the vacuum pump and the vacuum pump is eventually damaged.

[5a] Reference to any prior art in the specification is not an acknowledgement or suggestion that this prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in any jurisdiction or that this prior art could reasonably be expected to be combined with any other piece of prior art by a skilled person in the art.

[5b] By way of clarification and for avoidance of doubt, as used herein and except where the context requires otherwise, the term "comprise" and variations of the term, such as "comprising", "comprises" and "comprised", are not intended to exclude further additions, components, integers or steps.

[Summary of the invention]

[6] An aspect of the disclosure is to provide a food processor in which foreign materials are effectively blocked.

[7] The aspects of the disclosure are not limited to the foregoing aspect, and other aspects not mentioned above will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following descriptions.

[8] To achieve the aspect of the disclosure, a food processor according to an embodiment of the disclosure includes: a container comprising an opening formed at a top, through which food is introduced, and an accommodating space in which the food introduced through the opening is accommodated; a lid removably coupled to the container to allow the opening to be opened and closed, and comprising a first exhaust channel formed to communicate with the accommodating space when coupled to the container; an enclosure provided to at least partially enclose the container and the lid, and comprising a second exhaust channel communicating with the first exhaust channel; a vacuum pump connected to the second exhaust channel; and a foreign material trap unit provided between the first exhaust channel and the second exhaust channel and preventing foreign materials introduced into the first exhaust channel from being introduced into the second exhaust channel while gas in the accommodating space is discharged by the vacuum pump, wherein the enclosure is movable between a closed state surrounding the container and the lid and an open state in which at least one of the container and the lid can be taken out from the enclosure, wherein the enclosure further comprises a trap unit accommodating groove opened outward in which the foreign-material trap unit is detachably installed even when the enclosure is located in the closed state.

[9] Other details of the disclosure are included in the detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

[Advantageous Effects]

[10] According to embodiments of the disclosure, effects are at least as follows.

[11] Not only a solid foreign material but also a small amount of liquid foreign

material is effectively blocked.

[12] The effects according to the disclosure are not limited to the foregoing example, and more various effects are involved in the present specification.

[Description of Drawings]

[13] FIG. 1 is a perspective view partially showing a food processor according to

an embodiment of the disclosure.

[14] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing that an upper enclosure is opened in a

food processor according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[15] FIG. 3 is a front view showing that an upper enclosure is opened in a food

processor according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[16] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a food processor according to an

embodiment of the disclosure.

[17] FIG. 5 is perspective view showing a lower side of an upper enclosure of a

food processor according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[18] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a back side of a lower enclosure in a food

processor according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[19] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a foreign-material trap unit in a food

processor according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[20] FIG. 8 is a longitudinally cut-open perspective view of a food processor

according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[21] FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of'A'in FIG. 8.

[22] FIG. 10 is a longitudinal-section view of a food processor according to another

embodiment of the disclosure.

[23] FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of'B'in FIG. 10 in a vacuum exhaust state.

[24] FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of'B'in FIG. 10 in a state that vacuum exhaust is

completed.

[Best Mode]

[25] The merits and characteristics of the disclosure and a method for achieving

the merits and characteristics will become more apparent from the embodiments

described in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the

disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but may be implemented in

various different ways. The embodiments are provided to only complete the

disclosure and to allow those skilled in the art to understand the category of the

disclosure. The disclosure is defined by the category of the claims.

[26] Further, embodiments of the disclosure will be described with reference to

cross-sectional views and/or schematic views as idealized exemplary illustrations.

Therefore, the illustrations may be varied in shape depending on manufacturing

techniques, tolerance, and/or etc. Further, elements in the drawings maybe relatively

enlarged or reduced for convenience of description. Like numerals refer to like

elements throughout.

[27] Below, the disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying

drawings for describing a food processor according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[28] FIG. 1 is a perspective view partially showing a food processor according to

an embodiment of the disclosure.

[29] As shown in FIG. 1, a food processor 1 according to an embodiment of the

disclosure includes an enclosure 20 and a foreign-material trap unit 10.

[30] The enclosure 20 shown in FIG. 1 is detachably installed on a base (not

shown). The base may internally include a motor, a vacuum pump, a circuit board for

controlling the motor and the vacuum pump, a control means for controlling the food

processor 1, etc.

[31] FIG. 1 illustrates the food processor 1 with the enclosure 20 detachably

installed on the base as an embodiment for describing the disclosure, but the

disclosure is not limited to this embodiment. According to an alternative embodiment,

the foreign-material trap unit 10 may be installed in an enclosure accommodating even

the base therein.

[32] Further, FIG. 1 shows an example that the enclosure 20 includes an upper

enclosure 21 and a lower enclosure 22, but the disclosure is not limited to this example.

According to an alternative embodiment, the foreign-material trap unit 10 may be

installed in an enclosure shaped like a bell.

[33] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing that an upper enclosure is opened in a

food processor according to an embodiment of the disclosure, FIG. 3 is a front view

showing that the upper enclosure is opened in the food processor according to an

embodiment of the disclosure, and FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the food

processor according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[34] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the food processor 1 according to an embodiment

of the disclosure includes a container 30 and a lid 40.

[35] The container 30 includes an opening 31 formed at the top, through which food

or the like object to be processed can be introduced, and an accommodating space 32

in which the food or the like object to be processed is accommodated through the

opening 31. The container 30 may be formed with a handle 33 at one side thereof.

When the container 30 is approximately shaped like a rectangular prism as shown in

FIG. 2 and the like, the handle 33 may be formed at a lateral edge of the container 30.

In case where the handle 33 is formed at the lateral edge of the container 30, an edge

of the container 30 opposite to the handle 33 serves as a spout when a user grips the

handle 33 and pours food from the container 30 into a cup, a bowl or the like, thereby preventing the food from spilling out of the accommodating space 32 as unintended by the user.

[36] The accommodating space 32 may be internally provided with a processing

member 35 for processing an object to be processed (see FIG. 8). The processing

member 35 may include a blade or the like for grinding food or the like object to be

processed. The processing member 35 is supported on a spin shaft 34 passing

through the bottom of the container 30 and spinnable inside the accommodating space

32. The spin shaft 34 exposed below the container 30 may be formed with a gear

34a (see FIG. 8), and the gear 34a may engage with an output shaft (not shown)

extended from the motor, which is provided in the base, and exposed above the base,

thereby transmitting rotational force from the motor to the spin shaft.

[37] The lid 40 is removably installed in the opening 31 of the container 30. The

lid 40 is formed to close the opening 31 while being installed in the container 30.

[38] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the lid 40 includes an upper portion to be settled

on the top of the container 30, and a lower portion to be inserted in the container 30

through the opening 31.

[39] The upper portion of the lid 40 includes a first top portion 41, a second top

portion 42, and a third top portion 43. The first top portion 41 is annularly shaped

forming an top edge of the lid 40, and the third top portion 43 is positioned inside and

below the first top portion 41. The second top portion 42 forms an inclined surface

connecting the first top portion 41 and the third top portion 43.

[40] The first top portion 41 includes an outer border positioned outside the outer

border of the opening 31 of the container 30, and may be approximately shaped like a

quadrangle as shown in FIG. 2 and the like. Further, the first top portion 41 may

include a protrusion 41a extended outward from each corner thereof. Theprotrusion

41a may be used as a support point for a finger so that a user can easily pull the lid 40

when the user wants to remove the lid 40 from the container 30.

[41] Meanwhile, the third top portion 43 is centrally formed with a plurality of first

exhaust holes 44 forming a first exhaust channel. The first exhaust hole 44 is formed

passing through the third top portion 43. In addition, a barrier 46 is extended

downward from the bottom of the third top portion 43 while surrounding the plurality of

first exhaust holes 44. While gas in the accommodating space 32 is flowing in the

plurality of first exhaust holes 44, the inflow of liquid or foreign materials in the

accommodating space 32 are primarily blocked by the barrier 46.

[42] Under the lid 40, an insertion portion 45 is extended downward from the bottom

of the first top portion 41. The insertion portion 45 is shaped to fit in the opening 31

of the container 30, and may include a sealing member provided on an outer surface

of the insertion portion 45 facing an inner surface of the container 30 and improving

sealing between the container 30 and the lid 40. According to an alternative

embodiment, the sealing member may be provided on the inner surface of the

container 30 facing the outer surface of the insertion portion 45.

[43] FIG. 5 is perspective view showing a lower side of an upper enclosure of a

food processor according to an embodiment of the disclosure, and FIG. 6 is a

perspective view showing a back side of a lower enclosure in a food processor

according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[44] The upper enclosure 21 is formed to partially enclose the upper, front and

lateral sides of the container 30, and includes a top portion 211, a front portion 212,

lateral portions 213, and a rear portion 214 as shown in FIGS. 2 to 5.

[45] The top portion 211 includes a trap-unit accommodating groove 216 and a first

channel accommodating portion 215.

[46] The trap-unit accommodating groove 216 refers to a space in which the

foreign-material trap unit 10 to be described later is installed. AsshowninFIG.4,the

trap-unit accommodating groove 216 is formed passing through a part of the first

channel accommodating portion 215 and the top portion 211, and has a structure that

the foreign-material trap unit 10 is detachably fastened/separated.

[47] The first channel accommodating portion 215 accommodates an upper

exhaust tube 217 (see FIG. 8) that forms an upper exhaust channel 217c (see FIG. 8).

The upper exhaust channel 217c includes a first end 217 formed to be exposed through

the inner surface of the trap-unit accommodating groove 216.

[48] As shown in FIG. 4, a grip groove 215a may be formed in a portion of the first

channel accommodating portion 215, which forms the periphery of the trap-unit

accommodating groove 216, so that a user can grip the lateral side of the foreign

material trap unit 10 with fingers in order to remove the foreign-material trap unit 10.

[49] The front portion 212 is extended downward from the front of the top portion

211, and may include a handle 212a. A user may move the upper enclosure 21 from

a closed state (i.e., the state of FIG. 1) to an opened state (i.e., the state of FIG. 2) or

from the opened state (i.e., the state of FIG. 2) to the closed state (i.e., the state of FIG.

1) while gripping the handle 212a.

[50] The lateral portions 213 are formed between the front portion 212 and the top

portion 211, and may include a front side formed to be longer downward than a back

side as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. As shown in FIG. 5, a rotation engaging portion 213a

rotatably coupled to a rotation engaging portion 221a of the lower enclosure 22 (to be

described later) is formed in the inner surface of the lateral portion 213. As the

rotation engaging portions 213a and 221a rotatably engage with each other, the upper

enclosure 21 becomes tiltable with respect to the lower enclosure 22.

[51] As shown in FIG. 5, the rear portion 214 is formed between the top portion 211

and the lateral portion 213s, and shorter than the front portion 212. On the inner

surface of the rear portion 214, a second end 217b of the upper exhaust channel 217c

is exposed.

[52] The lower enclosure 22 is formed to partially enclose the back and lateral sides

of the container 30, and includes a lateral portion 221 and a rear portion 222 as shown

in FIGS. 2 to 6.

[53] The rotation engaging portion 221a aforementioned is provided on the outer

surface of the lateral portion 221. The lateral portion 221 of the lower enclosure 22

partially overlaps with the lateral portion 213 of the upper enclosure 21. When the

upper enclosure 21 is in the closed state, the lateral sides of the container 30 are

entirely enclosed with the lateral portion 221 of the lower enclosure 22 and the lateral

portion 213 of the upper enclosure 21. The inner surface of the lateral portion 213 of

the upper enclosure 21 may be structured to be partially adjacent to the outer surface

of the lateral portion 221 of the lower enclosure 22.

[54] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the rear portion 222 is formed to connect both the

lateral portions 221. The rear portion 222 includes a second channel accommodating

portion 223, a tilt limiting groove 222a, and a tilt limiting surface 222b.

[55] As shown in FIG. 6, the outer surface of the rear portion 222 is partially

recessed to form the tilt limiting groove 222a. The tilt limiting groove 222a refers to a

space in which the rear portion 214 of the upper enclosure 21 is accommodated when

the upper enclosure 21 is in the opened state as shown in FIG. 2. The tilt limiting

surface 222b may be formed as a downward inclined surface facing backward, while

forming a bottom portion shaped to define the tilt limiting groove 222a. The tilt limiting

surface 222b supports the rear portion 214 when the upper enclosure 21 is in the opened state, thereby setting a tilt limit of the upper enclosure 21 when the upper enclosure 21 is in the opened state.

[56] The second channel accommodating portion 223 accommodates a lower

exhaust tube 224 (see FIG. 8) that forms a lower exhaust channel 224c (see FIG. 8).

The lower exhaust channel 224c includes a first end 224a formed to be exposed

through a top side on the outer surface of the rear portion 222 as shown in FIG. 6, and

a second end 224b formed to be exposed through a bottom side on the inner surface

of the rear portion 222 as shown in FIG. 3.

[57] The first end 224a of the lower exhaust channel 224c and the second end 217b

of the upper exhaust channel 217c are aligned with each other when the upper

enclosure 21 is in the closed state. To seal a space between the first end 224a of the

lower exhaust channel 224c and the second end 217b of the upper exhaust channel

217c, an O-ring or the like sealing member may be provided in the first end 224a of

the lower exhaust channel 224c and/or the second end 217b of the upper exhaust

channel217c.

[58] The first end 224a of the lower exhaust channel 224c is formed to be exposed

on the outer surface of the rear portion 222, and the second end 217b of the upper

exhaust channel 217c provided in the upper enclosure 21 is formed to be exposed on

the inner surface of the rear portion 214, so that the first end 224a of the lower exhaust

channel 224c and the second end 217b of the upper exhaust channel 217c can be

automatically connected and sealed when the upper enclosure 21 moves from the

opened state to the closed state. On the other hand, when the upper enclosure 21

moves from the closed state to the opened state, the first end 224a of the lower exhaust

channel 224c and the second end 217b of the upper exhaust channel 217c are

automatically disconnected.

[59] Further, the second end 224b of the lower exhaust channel 224c is connected

to an end of a vacuum channel (not shown) exposed as formed in the base. The

vacuum channel is connected to the vacuum pump provided in the base and transmits

vacuum pressure generated by the vacuum pump to the lower exhaust channel 224c.

[60] Because the second end 224b of the lower exhaust channel 224c is formed to

be exposed through the bottom side on the inner surface of the rear portion 222, the

second end 224b of the lower exhaust channel 224c and the end of the vacuum

channel exposed as formed in the base are automatically connected and sealed when

the lower enclosure 22 is mounted to the base.

[61] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the foreign-material trap unit 10 is detachably

mounted to the trap-unit accommodating groove 216 of the upper enclosure 21.

Below, the foreign-material trap unit 10 will be described in detail.

[62] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a foreign-material trap unit in a food

processor according to an embodiment of the disclosure, FIG. 8 is a longitudinally cut

open perspective view of a food processor according to an embodiment of the

disclosure, and FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of'A'in FIG. 8.

[63] As shown in FIG. 7, the foreign-material trap unit 10 includes an upper member

110, a movable member 130, and a lower member 120.

[64] The upper member 110 has a gas-liquid separating space 113 therein, and

includes a second exhaust hole 111 formed to communicate with the gas-liquid

separating space 113 at one lateral side. The second exhaust hole 111 may be

spaced apart at a predetermined height from a bottom surface 115 of the gas-liquid

separating space 113.

[65] The bottom surface 115 of the gas-liquid separating space 113 is centrally

formed with a plurality of upper intake holes 114. The bottom surface 115 of the gas- liquid separating space 113 may be inclined downward toward the plurality of upper intake holes 114.

[66] With this structure, even when liquid is introduced into the gas-liquid

separating space 113 through the upper intake hole 114, the liquid falls down again

through the upper intake hole 114 due to the liquid's own weight and only gas is

discharged from the gas-liquid separating space 113 through the second exhaust hole

111 because the second exhaust hole 111 is positioned above the predetermined

height from the bottom surface 115.

[67] As shown in FIG. 9, a first downward protruding ring 116, a second downward

protruding ring 117, and a coupling ring 112 are extended downward from the bottom

of the bottom surface 115. The first downward protruding ring 116 is formed to

surround the plurality of upper intake holes 114, and the second downward protruding

ring 117 is formed to surround the first downward protruding ring 116. The second

first downward protruding ring 117 is formed to protrude further downward than the first

downward protruding ring 116. The coupling ring 112 is formed to surround the

second downward protruding ring 117.

[68] The lower member 120 includes a supporting member 120a, and a connecting

member 120b.

[69] The supporting member 120a supports the movable member 130 (to be

described later) to be movable up and down. The supporting member 120a forms a

space opened upward and accommodating the movable member 130, and is formed

with a coupling ring 121, to which the coupling ring 112 of the upper member 110

detachably coupled, at an upper side of a lateral wall portion thereof.

[70] The supporting member 120a is centrally provided with a supporting portion

123 on a bottom portion thereof to support a core portion 132 of the movable member

130 to be movable up and down. The supporting portion 123 may protrude upward

from the bottom portion of the supporting member 120a, and accommodate the bottom

of the core portion 132. A complementary structure is provided between the bottom

of the core portion 132 and the supporting portion 123 so that the core portion 132 can

move up and down within a predetermined range without being easily separated from

the supporting portion 123.

[71] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, a lower intake hole 124 is formed around the

supporting portion 123 while passing up and down through the bottom portion of the

supporting member 120a.

[72] As shown in FIG. 7, a projection 122 protruding upward from the bottom portion

of the supporting member 120a is provided around the lower intake hole 124 so as to

support the blocking plate 131 of the movable member 130. The projection 122

prevents the blocking plate 131 of the movable member 130 from being in close contact

with the bottom portion of the supporting member 120a.

[73] As shown in FIG. 9, a downward inclined surface facing the lower intake hole

124 is formed between the lateral wall portion and the bottom portion of the supporting

member 120a. The downward inclined surface makes liquid introduced into the

supporting member 120a flow down into the lower intake hole 124 due to the liquid's

own weight.

[74] The connecting member 120b includes a coupling portion 128 enclosing the

supporting member 120a and coupled to the supporting member 120a, and an annular

close-contact portion 129 extended downward from the coupling portion 128.

[75] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the close-contact portion 129 of the foreign

material trap unit 10 coupled to the upper enclosure 21 being in the closed state is in

close contact with the third top portion 43 of the lid 40. Because the close-contact portion 129 is in close contact with the third top portion 43 while surrounding the plurality of first exhaust holes 44, the plurality of first exhaust holes 44 and the lower intake hole 124 are sealed.

[76] The coupling portion 128 and the close-contact portion 129 may be formed as

a single body, and may be made of a resilient material to prevent a leak between the

close-contact portion 129 and the third top portion 43 of the lid 40.

[77] The movable member 130 includes the core portion 132 and the blocking plate

131.

[78] The bottom of the core portion 132 is coupled to the supporting portion 123 of

the lower member 120 and movable up and down as described above, and the top of

the core portion 132 is adjacent to the plurality of upper intake holes 114 and the first

downward protruding ring 116 of the upper member 110. On the rim of the top of the

core portion 132, a protruding rim 132a may be formed facing the first downward

protruding ring 116 and protruding further upward than the center of the top of the core

portion 132.

[79] The blocking plate 131 is radially extended from the core portion 132, and

positioned below the second downward protruding ring 117 as shown in FIG. 9. The

circumference of the blocking plate 131 is formed to be adjacent to the inner surface

of the lower member 120.

[80] With the foregoing structure, the foreign-material trap unit 10 forms a

connection channel that runs from the lower intake hole 124 to the second exhaust

hole 111 via a space between the blocking plate 131 and the inner surface of the lower

member 120, a space between the second downward protruding ring 117 and the

blocking plate 131, a space between the protruding rim 132a and the first downward

protruding ring 116, the upper intake hole 114, and the gas-liquid separating space 113.

[81] Below, a vacuumizing process of the food processor 1, an opening/closing

operation of the upper enclosure 21, etc. will be described based on the foregoing

structure of the food processor 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[82] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 8, when the foreign-material trap unit 10 is coupled

to the upper enclosure 21, the first end 217a of the upper exhaust channel 217c and

the second exhaust hole 111 of the foreign-material trap unit 10 are connected without

a leak, thereby connecting the upper exhaust channel 217c and the connection

channel.

[83] When the upper enclosure 21 is in the closed state, the upper exhaust channel

217c and the lower exhaust channel 224c are connected to form the second exhaust

channel without a leak, and the close-contact portion 129 of the foreign-material trap

unit 10 and the top surface of the lid 40 are connected without a leak, thereby

connecting the connection channel and the first exhaust channel.

[84] Although it is not illustrated, the lower exhaust channel 224c is connected to

the vacuum channel of the base without a leak in the state that the lower enclosure 22

is installed in the base.

[85] When the vacuum pump operates in this state, gas of the accommodating

space 32 flows in the plurality of first exhaust holes 44 because the second exhaust

channel - the connection channel - the first exhaust channel - the accommodating

space 32 are connected without a leak.

[86] While gas in the accommodating space 32 flows in the plurality of first exhaust

holes 44, the liquid or foreign materials in the accommodating space 32 are primarily

prevented by the barrier 46 from flowing in the first exhaust hole 44.

[87] Gas passed through the first exhaust hole 44 goes through the connection

channel of the foreign-material trap unit 10. Specifically, the gas passed through the first exhaust hole 44 passes through the plurality of lower intake holes 124, passes between the blocking plate 131 and the inner surface of the lower member 120, passes between the second downward protruding ring 117 and the blocking plate 131, passes between the protruding rim 132a and the first downward protruding ring 116, passes through the upperintake hole 114, and then entersthe gas-liquid separating space 113, and goes to the second exhaust channel through the second exhaust hole 111.

[88] While the inside of the accommodating space 32 is subjected to the vacuum

exhaust, the liquid or the like in the accommodating space 32 may pass through the

first exhaust hole 44 and be introduced into the foreign-material trap unit 10. For

example, food ingredients splashing during food processing may be introduced into

the first exhaust hole 44, or bubbles generated during food processing may rise and

be introduced into the first exhaust hole 44.

[89] When liquid or the like foreign materials reach the vacuum pump, the vacuum

pump is likely to be damaged. Therefore, the foreign-material trap unit 10 blocks the

liquid or the like foreign materials from being introduced into the vacuum pump.

[90] When solid foreign materials pass through the first exhaust hole 44 and the

lower intake hole 124, the solid foreign materials are blocked by the blocking plate 131

because of a narrow space between the blocking plate 131 and the inner surface of

the lower member 120, and eventually left on the bottom surface of the lower member

120 as falling toward the lower intake hole 124 due to their own weight, or fall toward

the lid 40 through the lower intake hole 124.

[91] When a large amount of liquid from the accommodating space 32 is introduced

by vacuum pressure into the foreign-material trap unit 10 through the first exhaust hole

44 and the lower intake hole 124 and thus the space between the bottom surface of

the lower member 120 and the blocking plate 131 is full of the liquid, buoyancy exerted by the liquid causes the movable member 130 to rise so that the protruding rim 132a and the first downward protruding ring 116 and/or the blocking plate 131 and the second downward protruding ring 117 can come into contact with each other, thereby blocking the connection channel, preventing the liquid from passing through the connection channel, and stopping the vacuum exhaust.

[92] When a small amount of liquid from the accommodating space 32 is introduced

into the foreign-material trap unit 10 through the first exhaust hole 44 and the lower

intake hole 124, most of the liquid collides with the bottom surface of the blocking plate

131 and falls due to its own weight, thereby being left on the bottom surface of the

lower member 120 or falling toward the lid 40 by passing through the lower intake hole

124.

[93] However, a small amount of liquid may be partially introduced by the vacuum

pressure into the space between the blocking plate 131 and the inner surface of the

lower member 120. In this case, the space between the blocking plate 131 and the

inner surface of the lower member 120 is so narrow that a small amount of liquid cannot

pass through this space but forms a water film. When the water film is formed

between the blocking plate 131 and the inner surface of the lower member 120, it has

the same effect as if the connection channel is closed, thereby moving the movable

member 130 up due to the vacuum pressure, and blocking the connection channel as

the protruding rim 132a and the first downward protruding ring 116 and/or the blocking

plate 131 and the second downward protruding ring 117 come into contact with each

other.

[94] As a result, the foreign-material trap unit 10 prevents foreign materials from

entering and damaging the vacuum pump by blocking the foreign materials passed

through the first exhaust channel from being introduced into the second exhaust channel, and allowing the food processor 1 to be hygienically used by preventing the foreign materials from being introduced into the second exhaust channel that is not easily separated/cleaned as accommodated in the enclosure 20.

[95] Below, a food processor according to an alternative embodiment of the

disclosure will be described. For convenience of description, like numerals will be

used to describe like elements to those of the foregoing embodiments, and repetitive

descriptions to those of the foregoing embodiments will be avoided.

[96] FIG. 10 is a longitudinal-section view of a food processor according to another

embodiment of the disclosure, FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of'B'in FIG. 10 in a vacuum

exhaust state, and FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of 'B' in FIG. 10 in a state that vacuum

exhaust is completed.

[97] As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, a food processor 2 according to this embodiment

of the disclosure further includes a check valve 47 in the lid 40 as compared to the

food processor 1 according to the foregoing embodiment.

[98] As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the check valve 47 passes through a central

portion of the third top portion 43 formed with the first exhaust holes 44 and is movable

up and down within a predetermined range, thereby opening and closing the first

exhaust hole 44.

[99] As shown in FIG. 12, a top portion of the check valve 47 exposed above the

third top portion 43 is formed to have an area enough to cover all the first exhaust hole

44.

[100] As shown in FIG. 11, a stopper 47b may be formed at a lower end of the check

valve 47, which is positioned below the third top portion 43, in order to prevent the

check valve 47 from rising and coming off while the first exhaust holes 44 are opened.

[101] When the vacuum pump operates in the state that the close-contact portion

129 of the foreign-material trap unit 10 is in close contact with the third top portion 43

of the lid 40, the check valve 47 moves up by the vacuum pressure as shown in FIG.

11 and the first exhaust holes 44 are opened, so that gas of the accommodating space

32 can be discharged through the plurality of first exhaust holes 44 and then pass

through the plurality of lower intake holes 124, pass through the space between the

blocking plate 131 and the inner surface of the lower member 120, passes through the

space between the second downward protruding ring 117 and the blocking plate 131,

pass the space between the protruding rim 132a and the first downward protruding ring

116, pass through the upper intake hole 114, and enter the gas-liquid separating space

113, and go to the second exhaust channel through the second exhaust hole 111.

[102] When the vacuum pump stops operating and the space between the foreign

material trap unit 10 and the lid 40, specifically, a space above the third top portion 43

enclosed by the close-contact portion 129 is increased in pressure, the check valve 47

moves down as shown in FIG. 12 due to difference in pressure between the space

above the third top portion 43 and the accommodating space 32 and closes the first

exhaust holes 44 as the top portion of the check valve 47 comes into close contact

with the first exhaust hole 44, thereby maintaining the inside of the accommodating

space 32 under negative pressure.

[103] Although the foreign-material trap unit 10 and the lid 40 are separated as the

upper enclosure 21 is opened with respect to the lower enclosure 22, the first exhaust

holes 44 are kept closed by the check valve 47, so that the food processor 2 according

to this embodiment can maintain the accommodating space 32 under the negative

pressure.

[104] It will be understood by a person having ordinary knowledge in the art to which

the disclosure pertains that the disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential features. Therefore, it should be understood that the foregoing embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and not restricted in all aspects. The scope of the disclosure is defined by the following claims rather than the foregoing detailed description, and all changes or modifications from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalents should be construed as being included in the scope of the disclosure.

[Mode for Carrying out Disclosure]

[105] A food processor according to an embodiment of the disclosure includes: a

container comprising an opening formed at a top, through which food is introduced,

and an accommodating space in which the food introduced through the opening is

accommodated; a lid removably coupled to the container to allow the opening to be

opened and closed, and comprising a first exhaust channel formed to communicate

with the accommodating space when coupled to the container; an enclosure provided

to at least partially enclose the container and the lid, and comprising a second exhaust

channel communicating with the first exhaust channel; a vacuum pump connected to

the second exhaust channel; and a foreign-material trap unit provided between the first

exhaust channel and the second exhaust channel and preventing foreign materials

introduced into the first exhaust channel from being introduced into the second exhaust

channel while gas in the accommodating space is discharged by the vacuum pump.

[106] The foreign-material trap unit may be detachably installed in the enclosure.

[107] The enclosure may include a trap-unit accommodating groove in which the

foreign-material trap unit is detachably installed, the second exhaust channel may

include a first end exposed on a lateral side of the trap-unit accommodating groove,

and the foreign-material trap unit may include an exhaust hole at one side thereof, to

which the first end of the second exhaust channel while being coupled to the enclosure.

[108] The enclosure may include a lower enclosure and an upper enclosure tiltable

within a predetermined angle range with respect to the lower enclosure, the upper

enclosure may include a trap-unit accommodating groove in which the foreign-material

trap unit is detachably installed, the second exhaust channel may include a first end

exposed on a lateral side of the trap-unit accommodating groove, and the foreign

material trap unit may include an exhaust hole at one side thereof, to which the first

end of the second exhaust channel is connected while being coupled to the enclosure.

[109] The second exhaust channel may include an upper exhaust channel formed

to pass through the upper enclosure; and a lower exhaust channel formed to pass

through the lower enclosure.

[110] The upper exhaust channel may be connected to the lower exhaust channel

when the upper enclosure is in a closed state with respect to the lower enclosure, and

disconnected from the lower exhaust channel when the upper enclosure is in an

opened state with respect to the lower enclosure.

[111] The lower exhaust channel may include an upper end exposed on a top portion

of the lower enclosure, and the upper exhaust channel may include a lower end

exposed on a bottom portion of the upper enclosure.

[112] The foreign-material trap unit may include: a lower member settled on a top

surface of the lid and including an intake hole formed to communicate with the first

exhaust channel; an upper member at least partially forming a guide channel for

guiding gas introduced through the intake hole toward the second exhaust channel;

and a movable member provided to be movable up and down between the upper

member and the lower member and closing the guide channel as moved up by liquid

introduced in between the upper member and the lower member through the intake

hole.

[113] The movable member may move up based on buoyancy exerted by the liquid

and close the guide channel.

[114] The movable member may include a blocking plate of which circumference is

adjacent to an inner surface of the lower member, and the movable member may move

up based on vacuum pressure transmitted through the guide channel and close the

guide channel when liquid introduced through the intake hole is filled between the

circumference of the blocking plate and the inner surface of the lower member.

[115] The guide channel may partially include a space between a top surface of the

movable member and a bottom surface of the upper member.

[116] The lower member may include an annular close-contact portion to come into

contact with the top surface of the lid while surrounding the first exhaust channel so as

to seal a space between the intake hole and the first exhaust channel.

Claims

1. A food processor comprising:

a container comprising an opening formed at a top, through which food is

introduced, and an accommodating space in which the food introduced through the

opening is accommodated;

a lid removably coupled to the container to allow the opening to be opened and

closed, and comprising a first exhaust channel formed to communicate with the

accommodating space when coupled to the container;

an enclosure provided to at least partially enclose the container and the lid,

and comprising a second exhaust channel communicating with the first exhaust

channel;

a vacuum pump connected to the second exhaust channel; and

a foreign-material trap unit provided between the first exhaust channel and the

second exhaust channel and preventing foreign materials introduced into the first

exhaust channel from being introduced into the second exhaust channel while gas in

the accommodating space is discharged by the vacuum pump,

wherein the enclosure is movable between a closed state surrounding the

container and the lid and an open state in which at least one of the container and the

lid can be taken out from the enclosure,

wherein the enclosure further comprises a trap unit accommodating groove

opened outward in which the foreign-material trap unit is detachably installed even

when the enclosure is located in the closed state.

2. The food processor according to claim 1, wherein

the second exhaust channel comprises a first end exposed on a lateral side of the trap unit accommodating groove, and the foreign-material trap unit comprises an exhaust hole at one side thereof, to which the first end of the second exhaust channel is connected while being coupled to the enclosure.

3. The food processor according to claim 1, wherein

the enclosure comprises a lower enclosure and an upper enclosure tiltable

within a predetermined angle range with respect to the lower enclosure to move

between the closed state and the open state, and

the upper enclosure comprises the trap unit accommodating groove,

the second exhaust channel comprises a first end exposed on a lateral side of

the trap unit accommodating groove, and

the foreign-material trap unit comprises an exhaust hole at one side thereof, to

which the first end of the second exhaust channel is connected while being coupled to

the enclosure.

4. The food processor according to claim 3, wherein the second exhaust channel

comprises:

an upper exhaust channel formed to pass through the upper enclosure, and

a lower exhaust channel formed to pass through the lower enclosure.

5. The food processor according to claim 4, wherein the upper exhaust channel

is connected to the lower exhaust channel when the upper enclosure is in the closed

state with respect to the lower enclosure, and disconnected from the lower exhaust

channel when the upper enclosure is in the opened state with respect to the lower enclosure.

6. The food processor according to claim 5, wherein

the lower exhaust channel comprises an upper end exposed on a top portion

of the lower enclosure, and

the upper exhaust channel comprises a lower end exposed on a bottom portion

of the upper enclosure.

7. The food processor according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the

foreign-material trap unit comprises:

a lower member settled on a top surface of the lid and comprising an intake

hole formed to communicate with the first exhaust channel;

an upper member at least partially forming a guide channel for guiding gas

introduced through the intake hole toward the second exhaust channel; and

a movable member provided to be movable up and down between the upper

member and the lower member and closing the guide channel as moved up by liquid

introduced in between the upper member and the lower member through the intake

hole.

2O

8. The food processor according to claim 7, wherein the movable member moves

up based on buoyancy exerted by the liquid and closes the guide channel.

9. The food processor according to claim 7, wherein

the movable member comprises a blocking plate of which circumference is

adjacent to an inner surface of the lower member, and the movable member moves up based on vacuum pressure transmitted through the guide channel and closes the guide channel when liquid introduced through the intake hole is filled between the circumference of the blocking plate and the inner surface of the lower member.

10. The food processor according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the guide

channel partially comprises a space between a top surface of the movable member

and a bottom surface of the upper member.

11. The food processor according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the lower

member comprises an annular close-contact portion to come into contact with the top

surface of the lid while surrounding the first exhaust channel so as to seal a space

between the intake hole and the first exhaust channel.